CHRISTGAU CONSUMER GUIDE
AU PAIRS: “Playing With A Different Sex” (Human import):: For months I struggled to get with the commendable postpunk feminism and accessible quasifunk rockaroll of this gender-balanced quartet, and for months I failed. Only in person did I notice that gender symbol Lesley Woods had about as much to say now as Grace Slick did in 1967—more than you’d predict and less than you’d hope—and that on the whole they sounded like a bored Gang Of Four.
CHRISTGAU CONSUMER GUIDE
by
Robert Christgau
AU PAIRS: “Playing With A Different Sex” (Human import):: For months I struggled to get with the commendable postpunk feminism and accessible quasifunk rockaroll of this gender-balanced quartet, and for months I failed. Only in person did I notice that gender symbol Lesley Woods had about as much to say now as Grace Slick did in 1967—more than you’d predict and less than you’d hope—and that on the whole they sounded like a bored Gang Of Four. Dozed off during the climactic “It’s Obvious.” Which 1 found rousing anyway. Ditto for the album when I got home. B +
GARY U.S BONDS: “Dedication” (EMI America):: This is impressive and good-hearted. Not only did B. Springsteen get a record deal for the rock ’n’ roller whose oldies, have been topping B.’s show since whenever, he got him a hit. Featuring the voice of none other than B. Springsteen, who comes more naturally to these impressive, good-hearted new B. Springsteen songs (as well as the Dylan and Browne and Lennon-McCartney oldies) than the rock ’n’ roller. Has more soul, for one thing. C +